Roof Slope Calculator

Convert roof rise and run to slope percentage. Understand roof steepness for water drainage and structural design.

Formula & Explanation

Roof slope (or grade) expresses the steepness as a percentage. The formula is straightforward: Slope % = (Rise ÷ Run) × 100 For example, if a roof rises 6 feet over a 12-foot horizontal distance, the slope is (6 ÷ 12) × 100 = 50%. This calculator also displays the simplified pitch ratio (rise:run), which is more commonly used in roofing specifications.

Assumptions

  • Rise and run are measured in the same units (typically feet)
  • Rise must be non-negative; run must be positive
  • Slope represents roof steepness only; does not account for structural loads or local building codes

Example Calculation

A roof with 6 feet of rise over 12 feet of run has a slope of 50%, expressed as a 1:2 pitch.

Inputs

rise:6
run:12

Results

slope:50.00
ratio:1:2

Common Slope Percentages

pitchslope
3:1225.0%
4:1233.3%
5:1241.7%
6:1250.0%
8:1266.7%
12:12100.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

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